“Whatever this is, I want more” is the catchy refrain from the opening track on the superb debut studio album from Zeeteah Massiah. And I agree. Juice will leave you wanting more. What is this? Well, it’s jazz, but it’s totally accessible, with hints of blues, soul, R&B, even reggae, without lapsing into pop. Many … Continue reading
Category Archives: Jazz
Tributes worth hearing – the Brecon Jazz line-up is announced
‘Tribute’ acts don’t often cause much excitement, or top the bill at a serious festival. But what if the tributes are performed by multi-Grammy winner Dr John and Britain’s own Jazz FM award-winning Neil Cowley? Continue reading
‘Sizzle and Swing’ combines the mouth-watering with the toe-tapping
There seems a natural connection between music and food, doesn’t there? At their best, both are creative and satisfying – and essential for a happy existence. Music is, after all, the food of love. And now jazz star Erin Dickins has combined her love of the musical and culinary arts to produce Sizzle and Swing … Continue reading
Chaka Khan and Van the Man – big-name veterans top the Love Supreme bill
It’s understandable that Jazz FM has been blowing its own trumpet this week. Landing two big-name veterans to top the bill at the annual Love Supreme Festival is worth trumpeting. American jazz-funk and soul star Chaka Khan will headline on the Saturday (July 4) and Northern Ireland’s rock-blues-jazz-pop maestro Van Morrison is the man on … Continue reading
Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Songwriting / Wales
‘Brecon rocks out here on the chain gang’
Brecon Jazz Festival has just celebrated its 30th anniversary in style, with ticket sales up 20% and a high number of sell-out gigs. Even the weather – the tail end of Hurricane Bertha dumped a lake-full of rain on the mid-Wales town on the final day – couldn’t dampen spirits. Continue reading
Brecon Jazz at 30 celebrates Dylan Thomas at 100
As Brecon Jazz celebrates its 30th anniverary next month, it also acknowledges a (possibly) even more significant milestone in Welsh cultural history – the 100th anniversary of Dylan Thomas’ birth. Dylan Thomas 100 is a year-long celebration to mark the centenary of Wales’ greatest poet, and Brecon pays its own respects with a Dylan Thomas … Continue reading
Love Supreme meets the challenge of that ‘difficult second festival’
We’ve all heard the cliche about that “difficult second album”. Imagine how the challenges are multiplied with that difficult second jazz festival. Yet, Love Supreme II was again supreme. The inaugural Love Supreme Festival in July 2013 was such a success, I gave it a glowing 10 out of 10. It was the UK’s first … Continue reading
It’s all in the timing at Love Supreme
With the Love Supreme Festival just days away, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be when. Can I see Jamie Cullum and Snarky Puppy? Will I miss Laura Mvula, if I see Incognito? Such are the dilemmas of a multi-stage event with top-class jazz, soul and R&B acts at every turn. … Continue reading
Jazz / Music / R&B / Songwriting / Soul
Gregory Porter – the man with the suit, hat – and voice
Gregory Porter is probably the hottest male-vocal property on the jazz scene in 2014 – and he’s likely to be especially hot in his trademark suit and hat when he performs at both Love Supreme and Brecon Jazz this summer! His appeal is clear – a charismatic personality, with an intriguing back-story, and a voice…. … Continue reading
New Love Supreme acts grab attention
A further impressive chunk of the Love Supreme Festival line-up has been announced, with De la Soul, Incognito and Imelda May among the names grabbing my attention. Jazz FM‘s greenfield festival of jazz, soul, blues and more is back at Glynde Place in Sussex (July 4-6) for its second year, having been given a glowing … Continue reading
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